Ryan Morgan competes in a relay event at CIF finals. Photo courtesy the Morgan family

RAMONA 
Ryan Morgan was an outstanding athlete from Ramona, a star on the football field and on the track. But what people remembered most about him Monday was how courteous he was.

Morgan, a 21-year-old West Point cadet, was killed in a motorcycle crash in Ramona on Sunday.

He lost control of the bike on Pamo Road north of Burma Road about 5:50 p.m., authorities said. He was ejected off the motorcycle and died at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido. He had been wearing a helmet.

“It’s a devastating day in Ramona,” Damon Baldwin, the varsity head football coach at Ramona High and an assistant track coach, said Monday.

Morgan played for him for three years on the football team and was a key component of the school’s track teams. He graduated in 2010. He was an all-league running back and a CIF champion in the 400 meters his senior year. He also anchored relay teams in state championships.

However, what Baldwin might remember most is how Morgan carried himself.

“Ryan was the epitome of character and respect,” Baldwin said.

He recalled that after grueling 400-meter races, Morgan would make a point of shaking the hands of the officials who worked the event.

“Little kids came to games to be like Ryan Morgan,” he said. “He was a classy, respectful young man.”

Morgan suffered a foot injury his junior year, and it limited some recruiting, but the Army military academy wanted him, said his father, Rheynard Morgan Jr.

He enrolled in the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School last year. He was taking a break from studies and was planning on heading back to school at West Point in New York. He had been working at his father’s business, San Diego Door and Hardware in Ramona.

“I was blessed to have the time with him,” Rheynard Morgan said.

Rheynard was involved in his son’s athletics throughout his life — Pony League baseball, Pop Warner football and track, going to national track competitions several times.

“Bright flames die the quickest, and he was a bright flame,” his father said. “And I’ll miss him.”

“If you were going to define an all-American boy, it would be Ryan,” he said.

“He was a star. He had every right to walk around campus like he owned the place,” Newman said. “But that wasn’t the case. He talked to all kinds of kids. He never wanted to take advantage of his athletic ability. ... You cheered for him to break a run because he was just that kind of kid.”

Newman said he talked to the football team Monday, and the players did not mention Morgan’s records. They spoke about how he treated them when they were freshmen and sophomores.

The athletic page on the Ramona High website showed a picture of Morgan running the ball behind a blocker with the words “We love you Ryan” above the photo.

On the track team, Morgan ran the 100- and 200-meter sprints, in addition to the 400.

Rob Gilster, the head football coach at Valley Center High and an assistant track coach, remembers his teams playing against Morgan.

“He was an explosive player on the football field. An intense competitor, but polite, courteous. A really neat kid.”